Novak Djokovic indicated that the PTPA was not a union, but the distinction is not entirely clearGETTY IMAGES
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and other members of the ATP Player Council "spoke out Saturday against a plan put forth by top-ranked Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil to start a men's-only union of sorts for tennis," according to Howard Fendrich of the AP. The ATP, WTA and the four Grand Slam tournaments also came out "against the proposal." Pospisil on Saturday night "tweeted out a picture showing a group of male players ... standing on a U.S. Open court and wrote that 'we are excited to announce the beginning of the the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).'" Djokovic indicated that the PTPA "was not a union, although the distinction wasn't entirely clear." Djokovic and Pospisil in an email sent to players earlier in the week said that they "would be the initial co-presidents of the group, which would also be led by up to nine trustees -- all players" (AP, 8/29).
LOOKING TO MAKE CHANGES: In N.Y., Ben Rothenberg reported Djokovic, Pospisil and John Isner all "resigned their leadership roles" in the ATP Players Council. Pospisil on Friday night tweeted it is "very difficult, if not impossible, to have any significant impact on any major decisions made by our tour." Details of the group “remain vague beyond its name ... and its intention to represent men’s singles players in the top 500 and doubles players in the top 200.” It is not clear "if the group would attempt to bargain collectively.” But the ATP and other entities in the sport "see the upstart effort as a threat, and its leaders have urged players not to support it." Djokovic and Pospisil detailed their plans in a "document they distributed to other players," and they "listed revenue sharing, disciplinary actions, player pensions, travel, insurance and amenities at tournaments as issues the new association would attempt to address.” A “glaring absence” from the plan is the “inclusion of women’s players” (N.Y. TIMES, 8/29). But Pospisil tweeted, "There is active dialogue with the women’s side. ... The PTPA is at its infancy stage ... it will only grow from here" (TWITTER.com, 8/30).
BACK AND FORTH: Among players, the primary advocates and main opponents of the PTPA stated their case on Twitter. Nadal: "It is time for unity, not for separation. ... Big things can be achieved as long as the world of tennis is united." Federer: "I agree @RafaelNadal. These are uncertain and challenging times, but I believe it’s critical for us to stand united as players, and as a sport, to pave the best way forward." Pospisil tweeted the PTPA "did not emerge to be combative, to disrupt" but to "unify the players, have our voices heard & have an impact on decisions." Janko Tipsarevic: "For some reason there is a narrative going around that the ... (PTPA) will cause an non-unified front and create some sort of separation in the World of Tennis, which is factually incorrect." Stanislas Wawrinka retweeted coach Daniel Vallverdu: "I hope the @atptour players don’t make the wrong decision with such vague information. It will disrupt 15 years of hard work by the ATP and top players."
